Senate Bill sb0178c1

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
    Florida Senate - 2002                            CS for SB 178

    By the Committee on Transportation; and Senator Miller





    306-1755-02

  1                      A bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to parking permits for disabled

  3         persons; transferring, renumbering, and

  4         amending s. 320.0848, F.S., and amending s.

  5         322.181, F.S.; providing for photographs on

  6         parking permits for disabled persons;

  7         transferring the issuance of such permits to

  8         the driver's license office within the

  9         Department of Highway Safety and Motor

10         Vehicles; authorizing tax collectors to issue

11         such permits if they have the capability of

12         processing a digital image of the applicant;

13         amending ss. 316.1955, 316.1964, 318.18,

14         320.08035, 320.084, 320.0842, 320.0843,

15         322.051, 526.141, 553.5041, F.S.; conforming

16         provisions; providing an effective date.

17

18  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

19

20         Section 1.  Section 320.0848, Florida Statutes, is

21  transferred, renumbered as section 322.181, Florida Statutes,

22  and amended to read:

23         322.181320.0848  Persons who have disabilities;

24  issuance of disabled parking permits; temporary permits;

25  permits for certain providers of transportation services to

26  persons who have disabilities.--

27         (1)(a)  The Department of Highway Safety and Motor

28  Vehicles or its authorized agents shall, upon application and

29  receipt of the fee, issue a disabled parking permit for a

30  period of up to 4 years, which period ends on the applicant's

31  birthday, to any person who has long-term mobility impairment,

                                  1

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2002                            CS for SB 178
    306-1755-02




  1  or a temporary disabled parking permit not to exceed 1 year to

  2  any person who has a temporary mobility impairment. The

  3  department must adopt rules that require a picture of the

  4  applicant to appear on a parking permit for a person with a

  5  long-term mobility impairment, upon initial application or

  6  upon the next permit renewal.

  7         (b)1.  The person must be currently certified as being

  8  legally blind or as having any of the following disabilities

  9  that render him or her unable to walk 200 feet without

10  stopping to rest:

11         a.  Inability to walk without the use of or assistance

12  from a brace, cane, crutch, prosthetic device, or other

13  assistive device, or without the assistance of another person.

14  If the assistive device significantly restores the person's

15  ability to walk to the extent that the person can walk without

16  severe limitation, the person is not eligible for the

17  exemption parking permit.

18         b.  The need to permanently use a wheelchair.

19         c.  Restriction by lung disease to the extent that the

20  person's forced (respiratory) expiratory volume for 1 second,

21  when measured by spirometry, is less than 1 liter, or the

22  person's arterial oxygen is less than 60 mm/hg on room air at

23  rest.

24         d.  Use of portable oxygen.

25         e.  Restriction by cardiac condition to the extent that

26  the person's functional limitations are classified in severity

27  as Class III or Class IV according to standards set by the

28  American Heart Association.

29         f.  Severe limitation in the person's ability to walk

30  due to an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition.

31

                                  2

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2002                            CS for SB 178
    306-1755-02




  1         2.  The certification of disability which is required

  2  under subparagraph 1. must be provided by a physician licensed

  3  under chapter 458, chapter 459, or chapter 460, by a podiatric

  4  physician licensed under chapter 461, by an optometrist

  5  licensed under chapter 463, by the Adjudication Office of the

  6  United States Department of Veterans Affairs or its

  7  predecessor, or by a similarly licensed physician from another

  8  state if the application is accompanied by documentation of

  9  the physician's licensure in the other state and a form signed

10  by the out-of-state physician verifying his or her knowledge

11  of this state's eligibility guidelines.

12         (c)  The certificate of disability must include, but

13  need not be limited to:

14         1.  The disability of the applicant; the certifying

15  physician's name and address; the physician's certification

16  number; the eligibility criteria for the permit; the penalty

17  for falsification by either the certifying physician or the

18  applicant; the duration of the condition that entitles the

19  person to the permit; and justification for the additional

20  placard pursuant to subsection (2).

21         2.  The statement, in bold letters: "A disabled parking

22  permit may be issued only for a medical necessity that

23  severely affects mobility."

24         3.  The signatures of:

25         a.  The applicant's physician;

26         b.  The applicant or the applicant's parent or

27  guardian; and

28         c.  The employee of the department's authorized agent

29  which employee is processing the application.

30         (d)  Beginning April 1, 1999, the Department of Highway

31  Safety and Motor Vehicles shall renew the disabled parking

                                  3

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2002                            CS for SB 178
    306-1755-02




  1  permit of any person certified as permanently disabled on the

  2  application.

  3         (e)  The Department of Highway Safety and Motor

  4  Vehicles shall, in consultation with the Commission for the

  5  Transportation Disadvantaged, adopt rules, in accordance with

  6  chapter 120, for the issuance of a disabled parking permit to

  7  any organization that can adequately demonstrate a bona fide

  8  need for such a permit because the organization provides

  9  regular transportation services to persons who have

10  disabilities and are certified as provided in this subsection.

11         (2)  DISABLED PARKING PERMIT; PERSONS WITH LONG-TERM

12  MOBILITY PROBLEMS.--

13         (a)  The disabled parking permit is a placard that can

14  be placed in a motor vehicle so as to be visible from the

15  front and rear of the vehicle. Each side of the placard must

16  have the international symbol of accessibility in a

17  contrasting color in the center so as to be visible. One side

18  of the placard must display the applicant's driver's license

19  number or state identification card number and a photograph of

20  the applicant along with a warning that the applicant must

21  have such identification at all times while using the parking

22  permit. A validation sticker must also be issued with each

23  disabled parking permit, showing the month and year of

24  expiration on each side of the placard. Validation stickers

25  must be of the size specified by the Department of Highway

26  Safety and Motor Vehicles and must be affixed to the disabled

27  parking permits. The disabled parking permits must use the

28  same colors as license plate validations.

29         (b)  License plates issued under ss. 320.084, 320.0842,

30  320.0843, and 320.0845 are valid for the same parking

31

                                  4

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2002                            CS for SB 178
    306-1755-02




  1  privileges and other privileges provided under ss. 316.1955,

  2  316.1964, and 526.141(5)(a).

  3         (c)1.  Except as provided in subparagraph 2., the fee

  4  for a disabled parking permit shall be:

  5         a.  Fifteen dollars for each initial 4-year permit or

  6  renewal permit, of which the State Transportation Trust Fund

  7  shall receive $13.50 and the tax collector of the county in

  8  which the fee was collected shall receive $1.50, if that tax

  9  collector has the capability to process a digital image of the

10  applicant. If the application was processed by the department,

11  the $1.50 shall be deposited into the Highway Safety Operating

12  Trust Fund.

13         b.  One dollar for each additional or additional

14  renewal 4-year permit, of which the State Transportation Trust

15  Fund shall receive all funds collected.

16

17  The department shall not issue an additional disabled parking

18  permit unless the applicant states that they are a frequent

19  traveler or a quadriplegic. The department may not issue to

20  any one eligible applicant more than two disabled parking

21  permits except to an organization in accordance with paragraph

22  (1)(e). Subsections (1), (5), (6), and (7) apply to this

23  subsection.

24         2.  If an applicant who is a disabled veteran, is a

25  resident of this state, has been honorably discharged, and

26  either has been determined by the Department of Defense or the

27  United States Department of Veterans Affairs or its

28  predecessor to have a service-connected disability rating for

29  compensation of 50 percent or greater or has been determined

30  to have a service-connected disability rating of 50 percent or

31  greater and is in receipt of both disability retirement pay

                                  5

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2002                            CS for SB 178
    306-1755-02




  1  from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and has

  2  a signed physician's statement of qualification for the

  3  disabled parking permits, the fee for a disabled parking

  4  permit shall be:

  5         a.  One dollar and fifty cents for the initial 4-year

  6  permit or renewal permit.

  7         b.  One dollar for each additional or additional

  8  renewal 4-year permit.

  9

10  The tax collector of the county in which the fee was collected

11  shall retain all funds received pursuant to this subparagraph,

12  if that tax collector has the capability to process a digital

13  image of the applicant. If the application is processed by the

14  department, the proceeds shall be deposited into the Highway

15  Safety Operating Trust Fund.

16         3.  If an applicant presents to the department a

17  statement from the Federal Government or the State of Florida

18  indicating the applicant is a recipient of supplemental

19  security income, the fee for the disabled parking permit shall

20  be $9 for the initial 4-year permit or renewal permit, of

21  which the State Transportation Trust Fund shall receive $6.75

22  and the tax collector of the county in which the fee was

23  collected shall receive $2.25, if that tax collector has the

24  capability to process a digital image of the applicant. If the

25  application is processed by the department the $2.25 shall be

26  deposited into the Highway Safety Operating Trust Fund.

27         (d)  To obtain a replacement for a disabled parking

28  permit that has been lost or stolen, a person must submit an

29  application on a form prescribed by the department and must

30  pay a replacement fee in the amount of $1.00, to be retained

31  by the issuing agency. If the person submits with the

                                  6

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2002                            CS for SB 178
    306-1755-02




  1  application a police report documenting that the permit was

  2  stolen, there is no replacement fee.

  3         (e)  A person who qualifies for a disabled parking

  4  permit under this section may be issued an international

  5  wheelchair user symbol license plate under s. 320.0843 in lieu

  6  of the disabled parking permit; or, if the person qualifies

  7  for a "DV" license plate under s. 320.084, such a license

  8  plate may be issued to him or her in lieu of a disabled

  9  parking permit.

10         (3)  DISABLED PARKING PERMIT; TEMPORARY.--

11         (a)  The temporary disabled parking permit is a placard

12  of a different color from the color of the long-term disabled

13  parking permit placard, and must clearly display the date of

14  expiration in large print and with color coding, but is

15  identical to the long-term disabled parking permit placard in

16  all other respects, including, but not limited to, the

17  inclusion of a state identification card number or driver's

18  license number on one side of the temporary permit. However, a

19  photograph of the applicant is not required on the temporary

20  parking permit. The temporary disabled parking permit placard

21  must be designed to conspicuously display the expiration date

22  of the permit on the front and back of the placard.

23         (b)  The department shall issue the temporary disabled

24  parking permit for the period of the disability as stated by

25  the certifying physician, but not to exceed 1 year.

26         (c)  The fee for a temporary disabled parking permit is

27  $15.

28         (4)  From the proceeds of the temporary disabled

29  parking permit fees:

30         (a)  The Department of Highway Safety and Motor

31  Vehicles must receive $3.50 for each temporary permit, to be

                                  7

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2002                            CS for SB 178
    306-1755-02




  1  deposited into the Highway Safety Operating Trust Fund and

  2  used for implementing the real-time disabled parking permit

  3  database and for administering the disabled parking permit

  4  program.

  5         (b)  The tax collector, for processing, must receive

  6  $2.50 for each temporary permit.

  7         (c)  The remainder must be distributed monthly as

  8  follows:

  9         1.  To the Florida Governor's Alliance for the

10  Employment of Disabled Citizens for the purpose of improving

11  employment and training opportunities for persons who have

12  disabilities, with special emphasis on removing transportation

13  barriers, $4.  These fees must be deposited into the

14  Transportation Disadvantaged Trust Fund for transfer to the

15  Florida Governor's Alliance for Employment of Disabled

16  Citizens.

17         2.  To the Transportation Disadvantaged Trust Fund to

18  be used for funding matching grants to counties for the

19  purpose of improving transportation of persons who have

20  disabilities, $5.

21         (5)  The applications for disabled parking permits and

22  temporary disabled parking permits are official state

23  documents. The following statement must appear on each

24  application form immediately below the physician's signature

25  and immediately below the applicant's signature:  "Knowingly

26  providing false information on this application is a

27  misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s.

28  775.082, Florida Statutes, or s. 775.083, Florida Statutes.

29  The penalty is up to 1 year in jail or a fine of $1,000, or

30  both."

31

                                  8

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2002                            CS for SB 178
    306-1755-02




  1         (6)  Any person who knowingly makes a false or

  2  misleading statement in an application or certification under

  3  this section commits a misdemeanor of the first degree,

  4  punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

  5         (7)  Any person who fraudulently obtains or unlawfully

  6  displays a disabled parking permit that belongs to another

  7  person while occupying a disabled parking space or an access

  8  aisle as defined in s. 553.5041 while the owner of the permit

  9  is not being transported in the vehicle or who uses an

10  unauthorized replica of such a disabled parking permit with

11  the intent to deceive is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second

12  degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

13         (8)  A law enforcement officer may confiscate the

14  disabled parking permit from any person who fraudulently

15  obtains or unlawfully uses such a permit.  A law enforcement

16  officer may confiscate any disabled parking permit that is

17  expired, reported as lost or stolen, or defaced, or that does

18  not display a personal identification number.

19         (a)  Beginning April 1, 1999, the permit number of each

20  confiscated permit must be submitted to the Department of

21  Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, and the fact that the

22  permit has been confiscated must be noted on the

23  permitholder's record. If two permits issued to the same

24  person have been confiscated, the Department of Highway Safety

25  and Motor Vehicles shall refer the information to the central

26  abuse hotline of the Department of Children and Family

27  Services for an investigation of potential abuse, neglect, or

28  exploitation of the permit owner.

29         (b)  A confiscated permit must be held as evidence

30  until a judicial decision about the violation has been made.

31  After a finding of guilt has been made or a plea of nolo

                                  9

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2002                            CS for SB 178
    306-1755-02




  1  contendere has been entered, the charging agency shall destroy

  2  the confiscated permit. A confiscated permit may not, under

  3  any circumstances, be returned to its registered owner after a

  4  finding of guilt has been made or a plea of nolo contendere

  5  has been entered in court. The permit number of each destroyed

  6  permit must be reported to the department, and the department

  7  must record in the real-time disabled parking permit database

  8  that the permit has been invalidated.

  9         (9)  A violation of this section is grounds for

10  disciplinary action under s. 458.331, s. 459.015, s. 460.413,

11  or s. 461.013, as applicable.

12         (10)  The Department of Highway Safety and Motor

13  Vehicles shall adopt rules to administer this section.

14         Section 2.  Subsection (1) and paragraph (a) of

15  subsection (4) of section 316.1955, Florida Statutes, are

16  amended to read:

17         316.1955  Enforcement of parking requirements for

18  persons who have disabilities.--

19         (1)  It is unlawful for any person to stop, stand, or

20  park a vehicle within, or to obstruct, any such specially

21  designated and marked parking space provided in accordance

22  with s. 553.5041, unless the vehicle displays a disabled

23  parking permit issued under s. 316.1958 or s. 322.181 s.

24  320.0848 or a license plate issued under s. 320.084, s.

25  320.0842, s. 320.0843, or s. 320.0845, and the vehicle is

26  transporting the person to whom the displayed permit is

27  issued. The violation may not be dismissed for failure of the

28  marking on the parking space to comply with s. 553.5041 if the

29  space is in general compliance and is clearly distinguishable

30  as a designated accessible parking space for people who have

31  disabilities. Only a warning may be issued for unlawfully

                                  10

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2002                            CS for SB 178
    306-1755-02




  1  parking in a space designated for persons with disabilities if

  2  there is no above-grade sign as provided in s. 553.5041.

  3         (a)  Whenever a law enforcement officer, a parking

  4  enforcement specialist, or the owner or lessee of the space

  5  finds a vehicle in violation of this subsection, that officer,

  6  owner, or lessor shall have the vehicle in violation removed

  7  to any lawful parking space or facility or require the

  8  operator or other person in charge of the vehicle immediately

  9  to remove the unauthorized vehicle from the parking space.

10  Whenever any vehicle is removed under this section to a

11  storage lot, garage, or other safe parking space, the cost of

12  the removal and parking constitutes a lien against the

13  vehicle.

14         (b)  The officer or specialist shall charge the

15  operator or other person in charge of the vehicle in violation

16  with a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as provided

17  in s. 316.008(4) or s. 318.18(6).

18         (c)  All convictions for violations of this section

19  must be reported to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor

20  Vehicles by the clerk of the court.

21         (d)  A law enforcement officer or a parking enforcement

22  specialist has the right to demand to be shown the person's

23  disabled parking permit and driver's license or state

24  identification card when investigating the possibility of a

25  violation of this section.  If such a request is refused, the

26  person in charge of the vehicle may be charged with resisting

27  an officer without violence, as provided in s. 843.02.

28         (4)(a)  A vehicle that is transporting a person who has

29  a disability and that has been granted a permit under s.

30  322.181(1)(a) s. 320.0848(1)(a) may be parked for a maximum of

31

                                  11

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2002                            CS for SB 178
    306-1755-02




  1  30 minutes in any parking space reserved for persons who have

  2  disabilities.

  3         Section 3.  Subsections (1) and (7) of section

  4  316.1964, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

  5         316.1964  Exemption of vehicles transporting certain

  6  persons who have disabilities from payment of parking fees and

  7  penalties.--

  8         (1)  A state agency, county, municipality, or any

  9  agency thereof, may not exact any fee for parking on the

10  public streets or highways or in any metered parking space

11  from the driver of a vehicle that displays a disabled parking

12  permit or a license plate issued under s. 316.1958 or s.

13  322.181 s. 320.0848 or a license plate issued under s.

14  320.084, s. 320.0842, s. 320.0843, or s. 320.0845 if the

15  vehicle is transporting the person who has a disability and to

16  whom the disabled parking permit or license plate was issued.

17         (7)  An airport that owns, operates, or leases parking

18  facilities, or any other parking facilities that are used for

19  the purpose of air travel, may charge for parking vehicles

20  that display a disabled parking permit or license tag issued

21  under s. 316.1958, s. 320.084, s. 320.0842, s. 320.0843, s.

22  320.0845, or s. 322.181 s. 320.0848.  However, the governing

23  body of each publicly owned or publicly operated airport must

24  grant free parking to any vehicle with specialized equipment,

25  such as ramps, lifts, or foot or hand controls, or for

26  utilization by a person who has a disability or whose vehicle

27  is displaying the Florida Toll Exemption permit.

28         Section 4.  Section 318.18, Florida Statutes, is

29  amended to read:

30

31

                                  12

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2002                            CS for SB 178
    306-1755-02




  1         318.18  Amount of civil penalties.--The penalties

  2  required for a noncriminal disposition pursuant to s. 318.14

  3  are as follows:

  4         (1)  Fifteen dollars for:

  5         (a)  All infractions of pedestrian regulations.

  6         (b)  All infractions of s. 316.2065, unless otherwise

  7  specified.

  8         (c)  Other violations of chapter 316 by persons 14

  9  years of age or under who are operating bicycles, regardless

10  of the noncriminal traffic infraction's classification.

11         (2)  Thirty dollars for all nonmoving traffic

12  violations and:

13         (a)  For all violations of s. 322.19.

14         (b)  For all violations of ss. 320.0605, 320.07(1),

15  322.065, and 322.15(1).  Any person who is cited for a

16  violation of s. 320.07(1) shall be charged a delinquent fee

17  pursuant to s. 320.07(4).

18         1.  If a person who is cited for a violation of s.

19  320.0605 or s. 320.07 can show proof of having a valid

20  registration at the time of arrest, the clerk of the court may

21  dismiss the case and may assess a $5 dismissal fee. A person

22  who finds it impossible or impractical to obtain a valid

23  registration certificate must submit an affidavit detailing

24  the reasons for the impossibility or impracticality. The

25  reasons may include, but are not limited to, the fact that the

26  vehicle was sold, stolen, or destroyed; that the state in

27  which the vehicle is registered does not issue a certificate

28  of registration; or that the vehicle is owned by another

29  person.

30         2.  If a person who is cited for a violation of s.

31  322.03, s. 322.065, or s. 322.15 can show a driver's license

                                  13

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2002                            CS for SB 178
    306-1755-02




  1  issued to him or her and valid at the time of arrest, the

  2  clerk of the court may dismiss the case and may assess a $5

  3  dismissal fee.

  4         3.  If a person who is cited for a violation of s.

  5  316.646 can show proof of security as required by s. 627.733,

  6  issued to the person and valid at the time of arrest, the

  7  clerk of the court may dismiss the case and may assess a $5

  8  dismissal fee. A person who finds it impossible or impractical

  9  to obtain proof of security must submit an affidavit detailing

10  the reasons for the impracticality. The reasons may include,

11  but are not limited to, the fact that the vehicle has since

12  been sold, stolen, or destroyed; that the owner or registrant

13  of the vehicle is not required by s. 627.733 to maintain

14  personal injury protection insurance; or that the vehicle is

15  owned by another person.

16         (c)  For all violations of ss. 316.2935 and 316.610.

17  However, for a violation of s. 316.2935 or s. 316.610, if the

18  person committing the violation corrects the defect and

19  obtains proof of such timely repair by an affidavit of

20  compliance executed by the law enforcement agency within 30

21  days from the date upon which the traffic citation was issued,

22  and pays $4 to the law enforcement agency, thereby completing

23  the affidavit of compliance, then upon presentation of said

24  affidavit by the defendant to the clerk within the 30-day time

25  period set forth under s. 318.14(4), the fine must be reduced

26  to $5, which the clerk of the court shall retain.

27         (3)(a)  Except as otherwise provided in this section,

28  $60 for all moving violations not requiring a mandatory

29  appearance.

30         (b)  For moving violations involving unlawful speed,

31  the fines are as follows:

                                  14

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2002                            CS for SB 178
    306-1755-02




  1

  2  For speed exceeding the limit by:                        Fine:

  3  1-5 m.p.h..............................................Warning

  4  6-9 m.p.h.................................................$ 25

  5  10-14 m.p.h...............................................$100

  6  15-19 m.p.h...............................................$125

  7  20-29 m.p.h...............................................$150

  8  30 m.p.h. and above.......................................$250

  9

10         (c)  Notwithstanding paragraph (b), a person cited for

11  exceeding the speed limit by up to 5 m.p.h. in a legally

12  posted school zone will be fined $50. A person exceeding the

13  speed limit in a school zone will be assessed a fine double

14  the amount listed in paragraph (b).

15         (d)  A person cited for exceeding the speed limit in a

16  posted construction zone will be assessed a fine double the

17  amount listed in paragraph (b). The fine shall be doubled for

18  construction zone violations only if construction personnel

19  are present or operating equipment on the road or immediately

20  adjacent to the road under construction.

21         (e)  If a violation of s. 316.1301 or s. 316.1303

22  results in an injury to the pedestrian or damage to the

23  property of the pedestrian, an additional fine of up to $250

24  must be assessed.  This amount must be distributed pursuant to

25  s. 318.21.

26         (4)  The penalty imposed under s. 316.545 shall be

27  determined by the officer in accordance with the provisions of

28  ss. 316.535 and 316.545.

29         (5)(a)  One hundred dollars for a violation of s.

30  316.172(1)(a), failure to stop for a school bus. If, at a

31  hearing, the alleged offender is found to have committed this

                                  15

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2002                            CS for SB 178
    306-1755-02




  1  offense, the court shall impose a minimum civil penalty of

  2  $100. In addition to this penalty, for a second or subsequent

  3  offense within a period of 5 years, the department shall

  4  suspend the driver's license of the person for not less than

  5  90 days and not more than 6 months.

  6         (b)  Two hundred dollars for a violation of s.

  7  316.172(1)(b), passing a school bus on the side that children

  8  enter and exit when the school bus displays a stop signal. If,

  9  at a hearing, the alleged offender is found to have committed

10  this offense, the court shall impose a minimum civil penalty

11  of $200. In addition to this penalty, for a second or

12  subsequent offense within a period of 5 years, the department

13  shall suspend the driver's license of the person for not less

14  than 180 days and not more than 1 year.

15         (6)  One hundred dollars or the fine amount designated

16  by county ordinance, plus court costs for illegally parking,

17  under s. 316.1955, in a parking space provided for people who

18  have disabilities. However, this fine will be waived if a

19  person provides to the law enforcement agency that issued the

20  citation for such a violation proof that the person committing

21  the violation has a valid parking permit or license plate

22  issued pursuant to s. 316.1958, s. 320.0842, s. 320.0843, s.

23  320.0845, or s. 322.181 s. 320.0848 or a signed affidavit that

24  the owner of the disabled parking permit or license plate was

25  present at the time the violation occurred, and that such a

26  parking permit or license plate was valid at the time the

27  violation occurred. The law enforcement officer, upon

28  determining that all required documentation has been submitted

29  verifying that the required parking permit or license plate

30  was valid at the time of the violation, must sign an affidavit

31  of compliance. Upon provision of the affidavit of compliance

                                  16

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2002                            CS for SB 178
    306-1755-02




  1  and payment of a $5 dismissal fee to the clerk of the circuit

  2  court, the clerk shall dismiss the citation.

  3         (7)  One hundred dollars for a violation of s.

  4  316.1001. However, a person may elect to pay $30 to the clerk

  5  of the court, in which case adjudication is withheld, and no

  6  points are assessed under s. 322.27. Upon receipt of the fine,

  7  the clerk of the court must retain $5 for administrative

  8  purposes and must forward the $25 to the governmental entity

  9  that issued the citation. Any funds received by a governmental

10  entity for this violation may be used for any lawful purpose

11  related to the operation or maintenance of a toll facility.

12         (8)(a)  Any person who fails to comply with the court's

13  requirements or who fails to pay the civil penalties specified

14  in this section within the 30-day period provided for in s.

15  318.14 must pay an additional civil penalty of $12, $2.50 of

16  which must be remitted to the Department of Revenue for

17  deposit in the General Revenue Fund, and $9.50 of which must

18  be remitted to the Department of Revenue for deposit in the

19  Highway Safety Operating Trust Fund. The department shall

20  contract with the Florida Association of Court Clerks, Inc.,

21  to design, establish, operate, upgrade, and maintain an

22  automated statewide Uniform Traffic Citation Accounting System

23  to be operated by the clerks of the court which shall include,

24  but not be limited to, the accounting for traffic infractions

25  by type, a record of the disposition of the citations, and an

26  accounting system for the fines assessed and the subsequent

27  fine amounts paid to the clerks of the court. On or before

28  December 1, 2001, the clerks of the court must provide the

29  information required by this chapter to be transmitted to the

30  department by electronic transmission pursuant to the

31  contract.

                                  17

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2002                            CS for SB 178
    306-1755-02




  1         (b)  Any person who fails to comply with the court's

  2  requirements as to civil penalties specified in this section

  3  due to demonstrable financial hardship shall be authorized to

  4  satisfy such civil penalties by public works or community

  5  service.  Each hour of such service shall be applied, at the

  6  rate of the minimum wage, toward payment of the person's civil

  7  penalties; provided, however, that if the person has a trade

  8  or profession for which there is a community service need and

  9  application, the rate for each hour of such service shall be

10  the average standard wage for such trade or profession. Any

11  person who fails to comply with the court's requirements as to

12  such civil penalties who does not demonstrate financial

13  hardship may also, at the discretion of the court, be

14  authorized to satisfy such civil penalties by public works or

15  community service in the same manner.

16         (c)  If the noncriminal infraction has caused or

17  resulted in the death of another, the person who committed the

18  infraction may perform 120 community service hours under s.

19  316.027(4), in addition to any other penalties.

20         (9)  One hundred dollars for a violation of s.

21  316.1575.

22         (10)  Twenty-five dollars for a violation of s.

23  316.2074.

24         (11)(a)  Court costs that are to be in addition to the

25  stated fine shall be imposed by the court in an amount not

26  less than the following:

27

28  For pedestrian infractions................................$ 3.

29  For nonmoving traffic infractions.........................$ 6.

30  For moving traffic infractions............................$10.

31

                                  18

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2002                            CS for SB 178
    306-1755-02




  1         (b)  In addition to the court cost assessed under

  2  paragraph (a), the court shall impose a $3 court cost for each

  3  infraction to be distributed as provided in s. 938.01 and a $2

  4  court cost as provided in s. 938.15 when assessed by a

  5  municipality or county.

  6

  7  Court costs imposed under this subsection may not exceed $30.

  8  A criminal justice selection center or other local criminal

  9  justice access and assessment center may be funded from these

10  court costs.

11         Section 5.  Section 320.08035, Florida Statutes, is

12  amended to read:

13         320.08035  Persons who have disabilities; reduced

14  dimension license plate.--The owner or lessee of a motorcycle,

15  moped, or motorized disability access vehicle who resides in

16  this state and qualifies for a parking permit for a person who

17  has a disability under s. 322.181 s. 320.0848, upon

18  application and payment of the appropriate license tax and

19  fees under s. 320.08(1), must be issued a license plate that

20  has reduced dimensions as provided under s. 320.06(3)(a).  The

21  plate must be stamped with the international symbol of

22  accessibility after the numeric and alpha serial number of the

23  license plate.  The plate entitles the person to all

24  privileges afforded by a disabled parking permit issued under

25  s. 322.181 s. 320.0848.

26         Section 6.  Subsection (5) of section 320.084, Florida

27  Statutes, is amended to read:

28         320.084  Free motor vehicle license plate to certain

29  disabled veterans.--

30         (5)  A county or municipality, or any agency thereof,

31  may not impose upon any person who is issued a license plate

                                  19

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2002                            CS for SB 178
    306-1755-02




  1  with the international accessibility symbol, under this

  2  section, any fee or penalty for parking in any metered or

  3  timed parking space except:

  4         (a)  As provided in s. 316.1964; or

  5         (b)  When the person is parked without a permit issued

  6  under s. 322.181 s. 320.0848 in a space designated for use by

  7  persons who have disabilities.

  8         Section 7.  Subsection (2) of section 320.0842, Florida

  9  Statutes, is amended to read:

10         320.0842  Free motor vehicle license plates to veterans

11  who use wheelchairs.--

12         (2)  In order to be eligible for the motor vehicle

13  license plate described in subsection (1), a person must

14  comply with the following provisions:

15         (a)  The veteran must be eligible for the license plate

16  issued under s. 320.084 and must apply for the license plate

17  issued under this section in lieu of or in exchange for the

18  motor vehicle license number plate authorized by s. 320.084;

19  and

20         (b)  The veteran must offer, in addition to the proof

21  required by s. 320.084(1), proof that due to a

22  service-connected disability he or she permanently uses a

23  wheelchair or proof, in the form of an application that

24  conforms to the requirements set forth in s. 322.181 s.

25  320.0848, that he or she qualifies for a disabled parking

26  permit under that section. The license plate entitles the

27  person to all privileges afforded by a parking permit issued

28  under s. 322.181 s. 320.0848.

29         Section 8.  Subsection (1) of section 320.0843, Florida

30  Statutes, is amended to read:

31

                                  20

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2002                            CS for SB 178
    306-1755-02




  1         320.0843  License plates for persons with disabilities

  2  eligible for permanent disabled parking permits.--

  3         (1)  Any owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who resides

  4  in this state and qualifies for a disabled parking permit

  5  under s. 322.181(2) s. 320.0848(2), upon application to the

  6  department and payment of the license tax for a motor vehicle

  7  registered under s. 320.08(2), (3)(a), (b), (c), or (e),

  8  (4)(a) or (b), (6)(a), or (9)(c) or (d), shall be issued a

  9  license plate as provided by s. 320.06 which, in lieu of the

10  serial number prescribed by s. 320.06, shall be stamped with

11  the international wheelchair user symbol after the serial

12  number of the license plate.  The license plate entitles the

13  person to all privileges afforded by a parking permit issued

14  under s. 322.181 s. 320.0848.

15         Section 9.  Subsection (1) of section 322.051, Florida

16  Statutes, is amended to read:

17         322.051  Identification cards.--

18         (1)  Any person who is 12 years of age or older, or any

19  person who has a disability, regardless of age, who applies

20  for a disabled parking permit under s. 322.181 s. 320.0848,

21  may be issued an identification card by the department upon

22  completion of an application and payment of an application

23  fee.

24         (a)  Each such application shall include the following

25  information regarding the applicant:

26         1.  Full name (first, middle or maiden, and last),

27  gender, social security card number, residence and mailing

28  address, and a brief description.

29         2.  Proof of birth date satisfactory to the department.

30         3.  Proof of identity satisfactory to the department.

31  Such proof must include one of the following unless a driver's

                                  21

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2002                            CS for SB 178
    306-1755-02




  1  license record or identification card record has already been

  2  established: a certified copy of a United States birth

  3  certificate, a valid United States passport, an alien

  4  registration receipt card (green card), an employment

  5  authorization card issued by the United States Department of

  6  Justice, or proof of nonimmigrant classification provided by

  7  the United States Department of Justice, for an original

  8  identification card.

  9         (b)  An application for an identification card must be

10  signed and verified by the applicant in a format designated by

11  the department before a person authorized to administer oaths.

12  The fee for an identification card is $3, including payment

13  for the color photograph or digital image of the applicant.

14         Section 10.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (5) of section

15  526.141, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

16         526.141  Self-service gasoline stations; attendants;

17  regulations.--

18         (5)(a)  Every full-service gasoline station offering

19  self-service at a lesser cost shall require an attendant

20  employed by the station to dispense gasoline from the

21  self-service portion of the station to any motor vehicle

22  properly displaying an exemption parking permit as provided in

23  s. 316.1958 or s. 322.181 s. 320.0848 or a license plate

24  issued pursuant to s. 320.084, s. 320.0842, s. 320.0843, or s.

25  320.0845 when the person to whom such permit has been issued

26  is the operator of the vehicle and such service is requested.

27  Such stations shall prominently display a decal no larger than

28  8 square inches on the front of all self-service pumps clearly

29  stating the requirements of this subsection and the penalties

30  applicable to violations of this subsection.  The Department

31

                                  22

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2002                            CS for SB 178
    306-1755-02




  1  of Agriculture and Consumer Services shall enforce this

  2  requirement.

  3         Section 11.  Subsection (3) of section 553.5041,

  4  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

  5         553.5041  Parking spaces for persons who have

  6  disabilities.--

  7         (3)  If parking spaces are provided for self-parking by

  8  employees or visitors, or both, accessible spaces shall be

  9  provided in each such parking area. Such spaces shall be

10  designed and marked for the exclusive use of those individuals

11  who have a severe physical disability and have permanent or

12  temporary mobility problems that substantially impair their

13  ability to ambulate and who have been issued either a disabled

14  parking permit under s. 316.1958 or s. 322.181 s. 320.0848 or

15  a license plate under s. 320.084, s. 320.0842, s. 320.0843, or

16  s. 320.0845.

17         Section 12.  This act shall take effect October 1,

18  2002.

19

20          STATEMENT OF SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES CONTAINED IN
                       COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR
21                              SB 178

22

23  This CS redesignates s. 320.0848, F.S., as s. 322.181, F.S.,
    effectively transferring the responsibility of issuing parking
24  permits for the disabled from the county tax collectors to the
    Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles' Division of
25  Driver's License.  The CS also amends the redesignated section
    to require the parking permit to display the photograph of the
26  recipient of a long-term parking permit for the disabled. The
    CS provides certain tax collectors which have the capability
27  to process a digital image of the permit applicant will be
    authorized to issue disabled parking permits. The CS amends
28  numerous sections of the Florida Statutes to conform
    cross-references.
29

30

31

                                  23

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.